Apparatus for the manufacture of inlaid linoleum.



C. H. SCOTT. APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE 0F INLMD LINOLEUM. APPLICATION FILED Nov. 2a. I9I4.

1,173,875. Patented Feb. 29,1916.

B SHEETS--SHEET @W @JMffe THE COLUMBIA PLANoGIzAPn C11. WASHINGTON. n. c.

C. H. SCOTT. APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE O'F lNLAID LINOLEUIVI.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 28,1914.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916,

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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u: l... L|||xl|l|l| l l I l l l l l T l l l l -G. H. SCGTT. APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE 0F AINLAD UNOLEUM.

APPLlcATfoN FILED Nov. 28. 1914.

1,173,875. Y Petented Feb. 29,1916.

B SHEETS-SHEET 3.

72. ne/ @w C. H. SCOTT.

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE 0F INLAID LINOLEUM.

APPLTCATION FILED NOV. 28. 1914.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

c. H. SCOTT. APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE 0F lNLAlD LINOLEUM.

- APPLICATION FILED NOV. 28. 1914. 1,173,875. Patented Feb.29,1916.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

WIIHIHI C. H. SCOTT. APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE 0F INLAID LINOLEUM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 28. 1914.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

8 SHEETS--SHEET 6.

L l vx Am WV/ NTI LIIIIHNT @gf/@26M THE COLUMBIA PLAlflosRAPH co., WASHINGTON, D, c,

.C. H. SCOTT.

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE 0F INLAID LINOLEUM. MPL10/111011 H11-:D 11011.28. 1914.

1,173,875. l Petented Feb.29,1916.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

L i :l: 2 V//' e C. H. SCOTT.

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE 0F INLAID LINOLEUIV.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 2s. I9I4.

1,178,875. Patented Feb. 29,1916.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

UNTEB STATES PATENT FFQE.

CHARLES HERBERT SCOTT, 0F GLOUCESTER, ENGLAND.

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTUR-E OF INLAID LINOLEUM.

Application filed November 28, 1914.

canvas backing in the positions and order required in the finished linoleum, being afterward consolidated in a suitable press.

In machines of this type as previously made, the sheets of self-color linoleum are cut through dies over the canvas which forms the backing and are deposited on to this canvas, which has an intermittent motion, the operation being completed after the canvas has passed under successive dies one or more for each colorl employed in the finished linoleum. Such machines have considerable disadvantages. For instance the `fact that the self-color linoleum sheets must be placed in position over the canvas andv the waste be afterward removed from over it lcauses great trouble, as any pieces of debris or bits which may accidentally fall, fall on the finished or partially finished goods and spoil the pattern, and in operation the arrangement or construction of the machine obstructs a view of the linoleum as itis built up, which gives rise to considerable trouble. It is also often impossible to make more than a small portion of the pattern of one color with one die plate, as if av considerable portion of the plate is out away it becomes too weak. It is also very diiiicult to change the patterns and to set new ones, as all this worlr'has to be done on the top of the table in an inaccessible position.

The object of the present invention is to provide a machine which shall obviate these and other disadvantages of machines as at present constructed and at the `same time Svpecieation of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

Serial No. 874,513.

a machine which shall operate more quickly and have a larger output of linoleum.

The invention consists essentially in apparatus in which the tesserae of the diderent colors are cut or stamped out in a separate punching or cutting machine in which they are inserte-d into a combined spacing and die plate adapted to be subsequently moved into position over the canvas backing where they are deposited still in correct position on to the canvas and further in means for bringing the spacing and die plate into register in both the punching or cutting and in the depositing sections of the machine.

The invention will be fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which one embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

Figures l and la combined is a sectional plan view of the machine. Figs. 2 and 2a combined is a sectional side view of the Inaohine taken on line 2 2 of Figs. `l and la. Fig. 3 is a section on line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. e is a section on a larger scale through the punch or cutter. Fig. la is a detail thereof. Fig. 5 is a section through the essential part of a depositing section of the machine. Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 show various details of the apparatus.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 1aN of the drawings the apparatus comprises a series of punches or cutters A and a corresponding number of depositing or dabbing sections B. The number of these punches and dabbers corresponds to the number of colors to be employed in the finished pattern, but it will ofcourse be understood that a machine having` a greater number of such sections than the colors required may be employed to produce linoleum, the sections in excess of such number in such a case not being used.

The punches A are arranged in line beside one another as near together as possible while allowing freedom of access and the dabbers B are correspondingly arranged in line beside one another, the lines of punches and dabbers being in their turn arranged as near together as possible.

Underneath, or rather through the dab bers, passes an endless band or table F of lso ' with teeth adapted to engage corresponding teeth f (see Figs. 5 and 5a) or recesses on or in the endless band or table F to insure that yit is moved forward positively without any slip. The endless band or table F is preferably formed of steel slats f and is adapted to support and carry the canvas G forming the backing for the linoleum through the machine. To prevent the canvas G slipping during its passage through the machine and also to retain the tesserae of linoleum in place after they have been dabbed down until the pattern is filled up the slats f are Vprovided with short upwardly extending pins H of such a length as will not penetrate right through the linoleum.

An extra press J is preferably provided, at the end of the machine, to give a final-consolidating pressure to the linoleum, before it is removed from the endless band. Y

The punchV A comprises a stationary upper bed or platen a and a lower upwardly acting punch Aor cutter table a between which the sheet K of self-color linoleum is intermittently fed laterally in the manner hereinafter to be described. Between the platen a and the punch a are arranged two plates having perforations in themV corresponding in size and position to the ysize and `position of the tesserae of that color desired in the pattern Vof .the -linoleum being made. The self-color linoleum passes between these two plates which are pressed tightly against it on either side during the punchingoperation and thus assist in producing a clean cutand in preventing fracture or crumbling of the linoleum on cutting. The upper of these Y plates L forms the die-and positioning plate and is mounted in such a way as described below that it may be traversed backward and forward between the punch A and its corresponding dabber B. The lower plate M forms a guide plate and is preferably so mounted that it normally stands iiush with the faces of the actual tesserae punches N. For this purpose the plate M is supported on springs m carried on the punch table t which always tend to push the plate M up to the faces of the punches N.` After each punching operation the punches N are left normally projecting through the sheet K of self color linoleum, but the plate M under the Aaction of the spring m pushes this linoleum debris upward of the punches N andl thus frees them for the next operation.

Where a machine is to be used continuallyY on a standard pattern the punches N may be mounted directly on-the punch table a., but where the pattern is liable to be changed the punches N may be mounted on a separateV punch plate n as shown in Fig. t. To insure the register of the punches N-with the plates L and M'oneof these plates, which are preferably made atthe same time so as to insure their K agreement, is laid on the' punch plate n and theV punches N are inserted through the corresponding perforations in the-plate L or M and secured in position before Vthe perforated plate is removed. Further, to insure registration at each operation, in the machine the three plates n, MV

and'L (or where no plate n is employed the plates M and L) are provided with two or more perforations outside the limits of the patternV which are "adapted tov lit over register pins O on the punch table a. These pins O are preferably-tapered throughout or at their points. The'plates n and Ml never leave the pins O as they rise and fall with the table a and as described below the plate Y L is supported in such a manner'that it is free to 'move slightly on its carriage so that as the pins O on the rising of the punch table enter the register holes therein it may be moved into exact register with the plate M and the punches N.

The table a maybe raised and lowered Vto punch or cut out the tesserae in any suitablemanner. As shown eac-h punch-is operated by a pair of cams P operating together one mounted on the main driving shaft E Yand the other on a second shaft p driven from the sha-ft E at the same speed. The cams P mayl be larranged as shown to-give a considerable lift to the table a so that at the bottom of the stroke it may be well out of the way of the platen w to facilitate manipulation andexamination. VAs vsuch a stroke is not howeverV generally' necessary the whole of the cam faceis not Yemployed in normal working. To this end `loosebars p are provided adapted to be laidl as showny upon the girders 792 supporting the machine in such apmanner that whenthe table c has been lowered sufficiently 'for normal operation it rests thereon as shown in Fig. 3..

When a pattern has to be changed or examination is necessary the bars p are removed and the table can be dropped right down. In normal operationtherefore only the summits of the cams P act on the table rt, bowls or runners p3 being preferablyprovided on the underside thereof to ltake the thrust of the cams. v n

To insure the return or lowering of the table a a lever and link motion et* operated bycams a5 onthe shafts E and p may be employed where desired. Guides a6 may alsoV be provided vto insure the correct movement of the table a.

The die and positioning plate L is preferably made of some thickness and Athe Y own expansion or elasticity.

punches N are made of such a length and throw that the tesserae Q of linoleum as they are cut out are pressed a little way upward into the perforations Z in the die plate and on the lowering of the punches N are retained in these perforations Z by their Each of the perforations Z is kprovided with a slide or piston Z which is preferably supported by one or more springs Z2 so that it is held up in the plate L and does not drop through it.

The platen a is also preferably formed with recesses a2 to receive the pistons Z when the plate is moved upward during the punching operation and with ribs or stops Z3 to support the plate and hold it while the actual cutting is taking place.

The plate L is slung or supported, somewhat loosely, as above described, from a carriage adapted to transport it backward and forward between the punch A and the dabber B. This carriage and its transport device may be of any convenient construction. As shown the carriage consists of a pair of slides B one on each side ofthe platen a adapted to slide on bearers 1 carried by the frame of the machine. The slides R are provided with racks 1 engaged byv wheels r2 mounted on the shaft r3 to which reversible rotation is given by the quadrant r4 which is reciprocated by a lever and link motion 1/5 operated by a cam Won the main shaft E of the machine. The plate L is moved over from the punch carrying the tesserae Q in their proper positions for the pattern into the approximately correct position under the dabber B and when in this position just before the dabber operates register pins o simil ar in shape to the pins O on the punch operated bya lever and link motion o from a cam 02 on the shaft Z are raisedv and, entering the same registering recesses as the pins O bring the plate into correct register over the moving table F andthe canvas Gr. When in this position the dabber B is lowered in any convenient manner and engaging the slides or pistons Z in its downward movement (see Fig. 5a) pushes the tesserac Q down out of the perforations Z in the plate L on to the canvas G where it is held in position by the pins I-I. These pins are preferably so arranged that they enter the bottom of the tessera@ just before they become entirely free from the plate L. The flabber B may be operated in any suitable manner.v As shown it is operated through aleverand link motion from a cam ZJ, on the shaft (Z. The carriage with the plate L is then returned to the puncii A, the endless table F is moved one sten forward and the action is repeated.

Wvhere in any pattern itis necessary to cutaway much of the 'plate L this may be reinforced by a strengthening back plate Z3 in which case the slides or` pistons Z may be made with a center rod or shank Z4 passing through the back plate Z3, as shown in Fig. 7 so as to weaken the plate Z3 as little as possible. In this case the supporting spring Z2 may be arranged spirally around the shank.

The self-color linoleum K from whichy the tesser are cut may be fed forward into the punch A in any suitable manner. A convenient arrangement is shown in Figs. 3, 4, ta, 8 and 9. In this arrangement endless reciprocating chains S carried on the wheels s, s arranged at both ends of the punching machine are adapted to move backward and forward a gripper T adapted to grip the linoleum and feed it forward after each punching operation. For this purpose the wheels s are keyed upon the shaft s2 which is periodically rotated in opposite directions by means of the wheel s3 which is driven by suitable chain or other gear from the shaft r3 which receives reversible rotation from the quadrant r4. In this way it will be seen that simultaneous forward movement may be given to the plate L and the linoleum K at the same time.

The gripper T comprises an upper cross plate Z and a lower cross plate Z carried by brackets Z2 at either side of the punch supported by and adapted to slide on or in grooves T7 formed in the bearers r carrying the carriage for the plate L. The brackets Z2 are attached to the chains S so as to be movable or slidable therewith in the grooves W. The lower cross plate Z is formed with a recess in its under face in rwhich is arranged a plate Z3 having a number of upwardly projecting pins Z1 secured therein which are adapted to pass through corresponding holes in the upper face of the cross plate Z. The pin plate Z3 is capable of being moved up and down in the recess in the plate Z in such a manner that the pins Z4 may be sheathed in the plate Z or project upwardly through it against the upper plate Z, and it is supported or slung at each end on a toggle lever Z5 in such a manner that when the toggle lever Z5 is in the dead center position the pins Z* are sheathed but when the lever Z5 is not in that position the pins project, and to insure suoli projection springs Z ai'e provided suitably arranged in such a manner as to press the pin plate Z3 upward.

The linoleum K passes between the cross plates Z, Z and it will be seen that when the pins Z* are sheathed the gripper T can be moved without affecting the linoleum but when the pins project they enter the linoleum and any movement of the gripper carries the linoleum with it. Supposing now that the gripper has gripped the linoleum and is moving it forward-the toggle lever being bent-it is necessary at the end of the forward stroke to release the linoleum fromv the gripper so that the latter may be moved back to the starting point without taking the Y linoleum lwith it. This is accomplished by iitting suitable stops to engage the forwardly projected bent links ofthe toggle t5 as it moves forward causing it to take Vor slightly pass the dead center position as it comes to rest thus releasing the linoleum from the pins. The gripper T can then be moved back tothe starting position leaving the linoleum K in the position to which it has been moved forward. f To cause the gripper on the other hand'to seize'the linoleum when it is to be moved forward the toggle t5 is provided with a catch lever t7 and the punch table a carries a spring latch t8 adapted to rise and fall therewith in such a manner that in the upperposition it engages the leverr t7 and as it is moved down again with the table a pulls the lever t7 down with it till the toggle is over the dead center when the spring t completes the motion and forces the pins into the linoleum ready for the neXt traverse. is also preferably provided with a doctor U adapted to slide over the face of the plate M as the gripper moves forward to sweep olf anyloose debris or fragments of linoleum that may have fallen on to the plate. A similar doctorV u (see Fig. 6) is iXed at the other end of the punch adapted to scrape the underside of the platefL as it moves forward v to remove any particles adhering to the underside of said plate.

Upon the shaft s2` are mounted wheels V having pins t adapted to engage the selvage of the linoleum and assist its forward movement. lThese wheels are preferably free to rotate on the shaft 82 and are driven through a ratchet o and pawl o2 in such a manner that the wheels only rotate in the forward direction and remain stationary when the shaft s2 rotates in the reverse direction. They are preferably connected by an angular sleeve o3 upon whichv rests the free end of a hinged flap o4 insuch a manner that asthe sleeve rotates it gives a erking motion to the flap to shake off any fragments or debris of the linoleum that may fall or be pushed thereon by the doctor U. Such. fragments with the punched sheet are fed downward to a cutter in known manner and return to be ground and remade up into linoleum.

A brush XV (Fig. 6) for brushing the face of the plate L on either or both the forward and return motions may be employed and a lubricator X for known purposes may alsov be used.

Having thus described my'invention and the best means I know of carrying the same into practical effect,'I claim:-

1. Apparatus for the manufacture of inlaid linoleum comprising a punch adapted to simultaneously cut and space the tessera'e of one or more repeats of one color in the The gripper T y linoleum, a die plate coperating'with the punch adapted to receivey the Vtesserae and maintain them properly spaced, means for transferring said dieplate tothe building up machine, and means for depositingthe yupon the canvas backing.

2. `Apparatus for the manufacture ofin-Y laid linoleum comprising a flat punch plate, punches thereoncorrespondmg in size and spacing to one or more repeats of the' tesserae of one color in the linoleum, a die platel corresponding toand coperating with said punch plate,` means for operating the punch plate to simultaneously cut and deposit one or more repeats of such tesserae in said die' Vpla-te, means for transferring said die plate to the rbnildingiip machine,.and means for depositing the tesserae from said die plate properly spaced upon the canvas backing.

3. Apparatus for the manufacture of in-Y laid linoleum comprising a 'punch 'adapted' to cut and spacethe'tesserze, transfer means yadapted to receive the cut and spacedftesvserre, means adapted to deposit the ,spaced tesserae upon the canvas backing and means for insuring registration of the punch, the

transfer means and the canvas backing.

t. Apparatus for the manufacture of in laid linoleum Vcomprising a punch. adapted toont and space the tesser, transfer means adapted to receive the cut and spaced tesg serre, means adapted to deposit the spaced tesserae upon the canvas backing, means for insuringr registration of the punch, the transfer means and the canvasbacking and means for intermittently feeding the linole um forward in the cutting and spacing machine.

cesses on the die plate to receive said pins and insure registration of the punch and die plate, and corresponding pins upon the building up machine adapted to enter the same recesses in the die plateto insure registration of lthe canvas backing and the die plate. Y Y

7. Apparatus. linoleum comprising a punch adapted to cut and space lthe tesserae, transfer means adapted to receive the cut .and spaced tes-V 5. Apparatus for the manufacture of iny laid linoleum comprising'a flat punch plate,

Vfor the manufacture of.

iso

l 70v tesserael fromy said plateffproperly spaced` sere@ and deposit them vupon the canvas baek- In testimony whereof I have signed my ing, a gripper adapted to grip the linoleum name to this speeieation in the presence of blank, means for moving said gripper fortwo subscribing Witnesses.

ward to feed. the linoleum, means for re- CHARLES HERBERT SCOTT. leasing the linoleum from the gripper and Vitnesses:

ineens for returning the gripper tothe JOSEPH MILLARD,

starting position. W. J. SKERTEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of latents,

l Washington, D. C. 

